W Hotels Worldwide and Chesapeake Lodging Trust today unveiled the
full-scale, $38 million renovation of W Chicago – Lakeshore, which
combines the energy of the ‘Windy City’ with the glittering waters of
Lake Michigan. The only hotel located on iconic Lake Shore Drive in the
heart of the city, W Chicago – Lakeshore has transformed all 520
guestrooms and its signature Living Room experience; expanded its 14,000
square feet of meeting and event space to include three new outdoor
spaces; and introduced a new signature restaurant, CURRENT, with
Executive Chef Gregory Elliott at the helm.
The renovated Living Room of W Chicago – Lakeshore (Photo: Business Wire)
“W Chicago – Lakeshore has been reimagined to reflect iconic
architecture and vibrancy of Chicago, pulling inspiration from the 24/7
energy of the W brand DNA,” said Anthony Ingham, Vice President, North
America Global Brand Management, W Hotels. “With new cutting-edge
designs and reinvigorated bar, restaurant and event spaces throughout,
the reveal of W Chicago – Lakeshore is a true milestone in our strategy
to ensure W Hotels around the country deliver a dynamic lifestyle
experience for both guests and locals alike.”
“We are very proud of our transformation of this incredible hotel,” said
Jim Francis, President and CEO of Chesapeake. “The project’s end result
captures all the design and energy elements we had hoped for and so much
more.”
The transformation of W Chicago – Lakeshore is a key project in the
second wave of renovation projects, part of the W brand’s plan to
reinvigorate its iconic North American portfolio. The aggressive
strategy includes a significant investment by the W brand and its
ownership groups with cutting-edge updates to public spaces, new
signature bar and restaurant concepts, and stylish guestroom refreshes
in key markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Mexico City
and Washington DC.
Cutting-edge Designs Combine with Premier Lake Views
New York-based interior design and architecture firm Meyer Davis Design
and Starwood's award-winning design team collaborated to redesign W
Chicago – Lakeshore to reflect the incredible views of the hotel,
combining the shimmering beauty of Lake Michigan with the urban
environment of the city. The guestrooms draw the eye to the lake’s
reflections and the illumination of Chicago with each window featuring a
seamless window frame. The color palate is a blend of soft tones, which
allow for the views to pop and serve as the focal point of the room.
Additionally, the light fixtures were changed to chandeliers to reflect
and amplify the light and views, and mirrors were added to the walls for
yet another reflective design element.
The décor in the public spaces reflect the W brand’s urban New York City
roots, merged with the vibrancy of Chicago. The Living Room has
undergone a bold transformation, including a completely revamped layout
to increase the space flow and energy. A spray can mural acts as an
accent behind the Welcome Desk, a historical nod to the aerosol can,
which originated in Chicago and is now used in modern day street art.
The Living Room was broken into smaller circular lounges that have the
opportunity to create social gathering spaces. A central point to the
lounge is a circular DJ booth, that creates a dynamic energy to the
space as guests enjoy activities of the restaurant, bar and Living Room.
The hotel also expanded its 14,000 square feet of meeting space to
include an additional venue on the two top floor spaces; Altitude and
Skyline. Altitude offers 360 degree views of the lake and city with
floor to ceiling windows, and Skyline, a new adjacent space for even
more flexibility with meetings and social events.
“Meyer Davis is excited to present the redesign of W Chicago –
Lakeshore, which utilizes the textural and light qualities distinct to
its Lakeshore Drive location,” said Patrick Martin, project designer at
Meyer Davis. “Our concept showcases the confluence of a vibrant world
class city meeting the serene edge of Lake Michigan.”
CURRENT – A Social, Italian-Inspired Restaurant
As part of the renovation, W Chicago - Lakeshore has debuted CURRENT
(also designed by Meyer Davis), a fresh, modern take on seasonal Italian
cuisine showcasing Chef Gregory Elliott’s simple and soulful
ingredient-driven dishes. Full of seasonal, Italian-influenced flavors
with a modern twist, highlights from the menu include house-made Stracci
pasta with wild mushrooms, pecorino and oregano; Sea Urchin
Risotto with scallops and tarragon; and Grilled Slagel Family
Farm Pork Chop, a 15 oz. bone-in ribeye with lardo-rosemary pesto.
“Having worked in this location leading up to the opening of CURRENT, we
really developed our menus with our guests in mind,” explained Chef
Elliott, who has worked at some of the most renowned kitchens in the
country, including Brannan's Grill in Napa Valley, one sixtyblue, Ambria
and Lockwood restaurants in Chicago. “Pair our made-in-house pastas,
pizza and salumi with our hand-crafted Italian cocktails, boutique wine
list and array of local microbrews, and you can’t go wrong.”
For more information about W Chicago – Lakeshore or to make
reservations, please visit www.whotels.com/chicagolakeshore
or call 888.627.8260. Guests are invited to discover the new W Chicago –
Lakeshore by booking the property’s Reveal Package (from $259 per
night), which includes a 1-night stay in a redesigned Wonderful guest
room, complimentary valet parking and a $50 dining credit.
Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WChicagoLakeshore
and follow on Twitter @WLakeshore.
About W Hotels Worldwide
W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry
innovator with 45 hotels and retreats, including 17 W-branded
residences, in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around
the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels
provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of
cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and
entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is
integrated into the brand’s sensibility through contemporary restaurant
concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts,
signature spas and inspiring residences. With 15 years of proven
success, W Hotels is on track to reach 60 hotels by 2017. W Hotels have
been announced for Beijing, Bogota, Changsha, Shanghai, Amsterdam, Abu
Dhabi, Mumbai, Dubai, Jakarta, Panama, Muscat, Chengdu, Suzhou, New
Delhi, Shenyang and Kuala Lumpur, while upcoming W Retreats include Goa,
India. For more information, visit www.whotels.com
or www.facebook.com/whotels.
To live the W Hotels lifestyle 24/7/365, visit www.wresidences.com.
Follow @WHotels on Twitter and Instagram.
About W Chicago – Lakeshore
Located on Chicago’s famous Lake Shore Drive in the heart of the City
and just steps away from Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier, W Chicago -
Lakeshore has recently completed a $38 million dollar renovation. The
hotel’s full-scale redesign by Meyer Davis Design reflects the energy of
the city onto the glittering waters of Lake Michigan, setting the stage
for the W brand’s fully integrated lifestyle experience. W Chicago –
Lakeshore features 14,000 square feet of meeting space including Skyline
and Altitude on the 33rd floor, a 9,600 square foot signature
Bliss® spa and FIT gym that overlooks the lake, and the cuisine of
CURRENT, where Executive Chef Gregory Elliott showcases his simple and
soulful ingredient-driven dishes along with an innovative beverage menu.
The hotel’s 520 stylishly re-designed guestrooms, including 23 Marvelous
Suites, 1 WOW Suite, and 1 Extreme WOW Suite all incorporate the
innovative designs found throughout the property. Facebook:
WChicagoLakeshore // Instagram/twitter: @WLakeshore
About Chesapeake Lodging Trust
Chesapeake Lodging Trust is a self-advised lodging real estate
investment trust (REIT) focused on investments primarily in
upper-upscale hotels in major business and convention markets and, on a
selective basis, premium select-service hotels in urban settings or
unique locations in the United States. The Trust owns 20 hotels with an
aggregate of 5,932 rooms in eight states and the District of Columbia.
Additional information can be found on the Trust’s website at www.chesapeakelodgingtrust.com.
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